Village To Allow Decorative Fences

ALGONQUIN — After repeated requests from residents, Algonquin will allow front-yard fences in its old-town area and exterior side-yard fences on corner lots throughout the village.

The Village Board voted this week to allow decorative fences in downtown front yards, so long as they blend with the "historic flavor" of the area and the architectural design of the lot's building.

Plain, contemporary styles are not allowed. The fences must be set back 2 feet from the inner edge of the public sidewalk closest to the building. They must let at least 40 percent of light flow through and be no taller than 4 1/2 feet.

Homeowners on corner lots downtown and elsewhere may now fence in the street-side portion of their back yards up to 5 feet from the sidewalk.

Previously, fences were allowed only as close as the lot's building line, and Village Manager Bill Ganek noted that corner lot owners who put up fences essentially lost the use of that property. Chain link, wire, board-on-board, basket-weave and stockade styles are prohibited, and the fences can be no taller than 6 feet.